Upper Tellico ORV Area Rule Changes Effective 01/06/2004
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited in the Upper Tellico Off-Highway (OHV) Vehicle Area within the Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest. This closure order is effective from January 6, 2004 through January 6, 2009.
  1. Possessing a beverage which is defined as an alcoholic beverage by State law.
  2. Operating a motorized vehicle on Trail 1 (Forest Road 420) in excess of the posted speed limit of 20 miles per hour.
  3. Being on Trail # 9 or on Trail # 2 from the intersection with Trail #1 up the steep grade to Forest Service Road #402 (Beaverdam Bald Road), with a motorcycle or ATV.
  4. Being on Trail 10 with any large vehicles such as Jeeps, Pickup trucks, etc.
  5. Using any type of vehicle that is not capable of 4-wheel drive operation on any trail except Trail #1 (Forest Road #420). This does not include factory standard ATVs and motorcycles.
  6. Possession or use of studded tires on any vehicle.

Lets look at 5 which relates directly to most rail buggies (and very little else). This obviously is not meant to address silt and runoff but overcrowding. If it is addressing 'excessive tire spin', why does it not read 'Operating any type of vehicle NOT IN 4-wheel drive on any trail except Trail #1 (Forest Road #420). This does not include factory standard ATVs and motorcycles.' That would address your 'excessive tire spin' problems they are so fond of quoting. In all my years riding at Tellico, I have seen much more trail damage by 4-wheel drive vehicles running in 2-wheel drive than by buggies. The overcrowding and silt runoff situation has been developing for many years and I understand that they have to do something but I can't say that I agree with this particular approach. Who will be next ? They need to be easy to spot. Motorcycles and ATV's are easy to spot but they don't take up much room. 'Outlaw trucks' are easy to spot and take up lots of room. But wait, how do you distinguish an 'outlaw truck' or a 'hybrid' from another 4-wheel drive by definition. I am sure they will come up with something after Labor Day when I suspect the runoff measurements will be no better than last year. Who will get the boot then ?

The Southern 4wd Association does seem to have some pull... from their website

"Members of Southern 4WD Association take great pride to be the only trail maintenance volunteer group for the last 15+ years. We have worked hard with the dedicated staff from the Forest Service's Tusquitee Ranger District in the Nantahala National Forest to provide a challenging trail system for enjoyment by the public."... "We have been involved with the Rangers for many years and many of the proposed rules have come up for discussion at Southern 4WD Association quarterly meetings over the last couple of years."

and the original proposed rule that became #5 was...
Using any type of vehicle on any trail that is not capable of 4 wheel drive operation and failure to have the vehicle "locked in" four wheel drive. This would not apply to motorcycles and ATV’s (four wheelers, etc.). This would only apply to jeeps, trucks, "hybrids", "rails", dune buggies, etc.

and their official stance on this proposal was...
We have not been able to reach a consensus on the 4WD-only issue. We do opposed the requirement to be locked in 4WD all the time.

Looks like all that hard work is paying off.

SFWDA proposed Tellico Rules lifted directly from Southern 4wd Association local copy original at sfwda.org

Rules Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 lifted directly from Southern 4wd Association local copy original at sfwda.org

Email Comments...

  • a stock 4wd (locked in or not) will go through Tellico with less trail damage than a buggy ?
  • one tire spinning verses four tires spinning ?
  • non-4-wheel drive with the exception of ATVs and motorcycles... rail buggies
  • The District Forest Ranger's name is Charles Miller - his phone is 828-837-5152.